tree-hug on april 11

It was a lovely five mile hike this warm morning.  

But be careful if tree-hugging with short sleeves.  Ants and other insects, sticky spider webs and poison ivy vines are back on the trees.

This super-bark reminded me of sedimentary rock with its many layers.  Intricate nature-sculpted bark-landscapes. During the winter I was curious about how different trees wore the snow. Now I am watching for how leaves are born and curious about our native wildflowers.  Keep learning and loving nature  💚 Peace

False hellebore (Indian poke) looks similar to skunk cabbage at this stage and grows in the same area.  A magical world of green.

Flowers on the shadbush (serviceberry) shrub.  I read that it flowers when the shad (fish) run up the Hudson River to spawn.  It is also when the ground softens enough for burial which is why it's called serviceberry.  A compact bud-hand released its perfectly formed gifts to the world.

Hepatica (liverwort, kidneywort, pennywort) is part of the buttercup family.  A heaven sent color.

An awakening fern-family embraced before their unwinding.  💚 Peace

What I posted on Facebook on 4/11/20:  This magnificent Willow was in a different place than our usual walks. Poison Ivy vines on this one, so I had to be careful. Have a beautiful and peaceful, holy day, today and tomorrow, whatever you may be celebrating.